Toy football game



Augi Z, 1932. o. L. PARKER 1,870,133

TOY FOOTBALL GAME Filed March 16, 1951 o l ML Q LLOW \Q) 9 r a g O 'IYUJ O N I q INVENTOR WITNESS. I ogwer L. Parker v 7 BY mvd.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNHTED STATES PATENT .QFFICE TOY FOOTBALL' GAME Application filed March 16, 1931. Serial No. 523,079.

My invention relates to improvements in games and particularly to toy football games adapted to be used as a parlor game in simulation of the game of foot ball.

6 An object of the invention is to provide a game board and game pieces which may be used in playing a game which will employ plays and in other respects resemble as closely as possible the regular game of football.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game which will teach the principles and strategy of the field game and will de' velop the skill of the players.

Other objects and advantages will become 15 apparent during the course of the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved game board marked to simulate a football field; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the game pieces forming a part of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing 5 indicates the game board or chart which is marked off with suitable lines 6 in simulation .of the 10 yard lines on a full size field. The board is preferably sized and marked to scale with a full .size

field, with the exception that in practice it has been found desirable to make the board slightly wider in proportion to its length than a regulation field. The lines 6 are preferably numbered in multiples of lOfrom fifty to zero from the center of the field towards each end. Simulation of goal posts 7 and 8 are provided at the zero line at each end of the field.

The rectangular game pieces 9, which may be made of any suitable material desired are in the form of sticks of difierent colors and lengths to indicate different plays and yardage gained or lost thereby. A movable line indicator 10, of a proportionate size to indicate 10 yards is also provide'd'and is movable to any position on the board to indicate the yards needed within four downs in order to make afirst down.

In playing the game, the two opposite p ay r 1' i es, ach r eive the same n mber of sticks of eac length a d @01 1,- To njec an eleme of han e n th game, a fe of the s ort f r ard pa tick ar d fferently colored on opposite faces, one face eing" co d ith he hasm pa s color an he oppo e c bei g lor d m ked t indicate a grounded pass blocked. kick, fumb-le or tackle. In practice these few sticks are divided between the players with the pass color uppermost so that neither player will know what color or indication is on the other s e of th st un l he r e e the As above stated the representation of the field is made to a scale in proportion to a 68' regulation outdoor field, a convenient scale which has been found to produce a. COIlVQQ: ient size board is on a scale of one-eighth inch to one yard. The ofiensive plays provided for by the vain-colored sticks are forward 70' pass, kick (punt or kick off) drop kick and scrimmage. The defense plays provided for are tackle, grounded pass, fumble, blocked kick, and intercepted pass. In playing the game players play. alternately until all sticks 76 have been played, which will mark the termination of the first half. The sticks are then divided as at the beginning of the game and the second half is played.

A better understanding of the details of 80 the game will be obtained from a consideration of the following rules and instructions which have been promulgated for use inplaying this game and which it is proposed to print in leaflet form to accompany each of the games when sold. It will of course be understood that the rules and details of playing are subject to many modifications and that those herein set forth are merely illustrative.

Two players, for example A and B.

Each player receives the same number of sticks (representing plays) at beginning of games. p Each player receives the same number of 95 sticks ofeach length and type (color).

A few of the short forward pass sticks are colored on both sides. Pass color on one side and either grounded pass, blocked kick, fumble, or tackle on other. These few sticks are placed in line, pass color up, and divided between players in any way, soeach player does not know what color is on other side of stick until he receives them.

Players toss coin-winner of toss chooses side-0ffensive or defensive.

Players play in turn, offensive or kickoff side playing first. There are few exceptions to playing in turn. Each play is represented by a small stick made of any material any convenient size. Length of stick representing the yardage of play. Color or other markings giving type of play. Sticks length is made according to scale used in constructin playing field.

"Types of offensive plays: pass, kick (punt or kick ofii) drop kick, scrimmage.

Types of defensive plays :tackle, grounded pass, fumble, blocked kick, intercepted ass.

Play all sticks for one-half of game. Divide as at beginning of game for second half.

A cardboard marker is used to be moved and indicate the necessary ten yards to be made in four plays. Near end of marker at location of ball at beginning of four plays for ten yards.

Total number of sticks enough for about forty plays per half.

Play ends when both sides run out of ofiensive plays and not when only one side runs out of offensive plays.

Can play either side of those painted on both sides.

If side that has to kickoff during game is out of kicksboth sides draw one kick from those sticks already played.

Player mustplay when turn comes.

The side that was scored on has choice of kicking off or receiving kick.

Drop kick can be played anywhere as a unt.

If a touch back is scored ball goes to offense on twenty yard line.

Drop kick can be used as a. drop kick only within the opponents thirty yard line. Success counts three points.

" Defensive player can use tackle play or fumble play when offensive player uses scrimmage in preceding play.

Defensive player can use block kick when offensive player uses drop kick or punt in preceding play.

Defensive player can use tackle, grounded pass or intercepted pass when offensive player uses pass play in preceding play.

Defensive player receives ball from offensive side when (1) Offensive player fails to gain ten yards in four plays.

(2) When intercepted pass is played by defensive on a pass.

(3) When blocked kick is played by defensive on any kick.

for return of kick (no down).

Any kick over goal line, ball goes to de fensive side on twenty yard line (unless goal is made after touch down by drop kick).

A touchdown is scored when offensive player has ball behind opponents goal (six points).

Extra point is made when offensive takes ball after touchdown, and from two yards of goal places ball over goal in one down (1 point).

Touch back is scored when an offensive side hads ball behind own goal (2 points for other s1 e).

Ewample 0/ play as illustrated (1) A kicks from 50 yard line to B and plays punt stick (brown) on field. Near end of stick on own 40 yard line-stick parallel to side of field and as far to left side as possible and still be on field.

(2) B receives punt and plays scrimmage stick (orange) for runback of ball,places the stick beside first stick-the near end of it at the forward end of punt stick.

(3) A now on defensive, plays tackle stick (blue) placing near end beside forward end of scrimmage stick and ball is dead at the end of tackle play nearest offensive. The run.- back did not count as a down.

(4) B now has to make 10 yards in four trys, so as to keep ball. B may kick on any play but then loses ball. B plays a scrimmage play (orange) placing near end of stick beside forward end of last tackle stick. A tackles (as before) and ball is again dead at end of tackle stick nearest offensive, (first down). All plays played same way except following.

(5) In case B kicks and A blocks the hall with block kick stick, (red), the stick is placed near end at near end of kick stick and ball is dead at near end of block kick (no change in position of ball) and in As possession. (Same method for fumble.) Same for grounded pass except ball still in possession of offensive player, unless fourth down. In case of two or more incompleted passes in succession in one set of downs, on second pass offensive is penalized five yards.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in the details of construction and manner of playing the game may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A toy football game comprising a game board in simulation of a football field, and a plurality of game pieces of difierent lengths to be successively positioned on said board, said game pieces being provided with indicia to indicate offensive and defensive plays, the length of said pieces indicating the yardage of play.

2. A toy football game comprising a game board in simulation of a football field, and a plurality of game pieces of different colors and lengths to indicate types of plays and yardage of play, the length of the pieces indicating the yardage of play, the color on alface of the sticks indicating the type of p ay. OLIVER L. PARKER. 

